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What
a mess!
The
problem with this project
was the fact that we
had no clue what terrible
shape the metal façade
was in when we were
contracted for the
job. The original pink
lead paint was so thick
(over 20 layers), that
it was literally holding
the entire thing together.
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It
was a very ugly surprise
when we got up there,
half way into the
project and started
stripping off the
old paint and discovered
nothing but Swiss
cheese to work with.
Least we forget to
mention, the reaction
of our building owner
when she was given
the news of the additional
costs associated
with reconstruction
the elaborate structure!
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Every
owner of an historical
building must face
the realization that
there are going to
be unexpected “wrenches” flying
everywhere when dealing
with the restoration
of these old ladies.
It is just a fact of
life. As good as we
are, we just can’t
know everything that
is going to happen,
we can suspect, we
can assume, and we
can warn you about….
but we just can’t
know for sure.
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We
always have people
ask us for the worst
case scenario, and
they get a proposal
for say….
$30,000.00 and end
up with a final bill
of $14,850.00…but
there is also the
homeowner who ends
up spending $8,000.00
more than they had
planned because half
their clapboards
were rotted and they
did not believe us
when we told them
they would fall apart
when we stripped
them.
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The
doors were stripped,
oiled and stained using
a beautifully deep
hand mixed color and
a linseed UV varnish
for durability against
the salt and car exhaust.
The
ceiling was originally
painted with over 20
layers of ugly pink
paint and we never
knew what beautiful
wood was underneath
until we stripped it
down. We were going
to paint it, but once
we saw the results
of the staining Holly
has done, it was decided
the hand painted heirloom
flowers were just the
thing. Only noticeable
to those who are sitting
at the outside café in
the summertime, they
are for those guests
who notice the “little” things
that Al’s
is so famous for.
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This
color scheme was as
usual chosen by us
and was the first place
winner in the Chicago
lands Finest Painted
Ladies contest. We
have been in the color
consulting business
for over 20 years and
always do our best
when we are allowed
to “do
our thing”.
We
chose the colors with
some basic guidance
for the building owner,
such as …I
hate this color and
like this color….and
we choose where every
color goes, we decide
when to tweak a color
and if it just isn’t
working. We have a
pretty good track record.
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